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There’s a deadly virus - would you sacrifice yours or your child’s life to create a vaccine?

109 replies

Theycallmemellowyellowyellow · 24/07/2026 18:03

I’ve been watching a really good series and this scenario came up.

Theres a deadly virus, catching the virus means certain death as well as the extreme likelihood that you’ll infect large numbers of people before you die.

You find out that your child’s is immune and is the key to creating a vaccine, but in order to do so your child would die during the operation.

Humanity and civilisation as we once knew it is finished due to the amount of people who have died and the humans that are left are merely surviving and trying to avoid becoming infected. But some people have created small communities and are living the best lives they can.

Would you be willing to sacrifice your child’s life in order to create a vaccine? Or what about your own life?

OP posts:
ChalkOutlines · 25/07/2026 19:25

BranClaps · 25/07/2026 18:57

Depends which child and on which day 🤣

Fair enough.😂😂

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 25/07/2026 19:10

No. Appreciate this is hypothetical but kids are off limits and if that is what humanity has come to then it's no longer humanity.

Newsenmum · 25/07/2026 19:06

ToffeePennie · 24/07/2026 18:12

My own life? No brainer, absolutely.
My child? For my 12 year old I would ask him what he wanted to do and I would live with that choice, as much as I would want to say no.
My 8 year old? No way.

A 12 yesrw old?? Surely a kid cant consent?

cymruyespls · 25/07/2026 19:02

Anarchy99 · 25/07/2026 08:45

Given the drop in birth rates in many countries, more and more people are in fact fine with their DNA not continuing though.

The thread subject is “would you sacrifice YOUR child” ..so your point isn’t really relevant.

BranClaps · 25/07/2026 18:57

Depends which child and on which day 🤣

takealettermsjones · 25/07/2026 18:56

Breadlegs · 25/07/2026 18:56

If my kid was the one from the last of us, then yes. She is very annoying.

🤣🤣🤣

Breadlegs · 25/07/2026 18:56

If my kid was the one from the last of us, then yes. She is very annoying.

takealettermsjones · 25/07/2026 18:54

I wouldn't sacrifice my kids. I'd sacrifice myself only if I knew that someone else (their father, aunties, my friends etc) would survive and be able to look after them.

ClayPotaLot · 25/07/2026 18:30

thereisnomeaning · 25/07/2026 08:53

So what if I believe the end of humanity might actually not be a bad thing?

That’s for you to decide. Not sure what it has to do with me?

Littlerockflo · 25/07/2026 16:05

I 100% wouldn't sacrifice my child, not a chance. And whilst my children are not old enough to take care of themselves I wouldnt sacrifice myself either.

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 16:01

ChalkOutlines · 25/07/2026 12:59

Sure, sure . You’re all a family of Daryl Dixons.

yeh we might not make it long term

Daryl Dixon wouldn’t say that

Anarchy99 · 25/07/2026 15:11

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 12:24

At first I was a bit put off with Bella Ramsey taking the part of Ellie because she doesn’t look like the character however she played her well. I wouldn’t of let that stop me watching it, it was definitely worth a watch

They are both okay actors but I can’t stand their virtual signalling dullness.

Odot · 25/07/2026 13:33

No. The rest of society could die for all I care.

ChalkOutlines · 25/07/2026 12:59

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 12:22

They are both strong and clever enough to give it a go plus they are not alone they’d be with me and their dad so yeh we might not make it long term but equally we’d give it a good fight. I wouldn’t hand over one of my children and say I know there’s not 100% success rate for it but kill her and take a chance

Sure, sure . You’re all a family of Daryl Dixons.

ThaneOfGlamis · 25/07/2026 12:54

Anarchy99 · 25/07/2026 10:51

Not necessarily. Whilst this is in fact Mumsnet, despite the name it has a lot of non parents (childless/infertile, childfree by choice) because of the plethora of varied boards on here.

Which is why I said majority. In any case, the thread is predominantly about sacrificing your child to save humanity, so I imagine it will draw more parents. Much easier to justify sacrificing someone else's.

Tamtim · 25/07/2026 12:44

Nope, not my babies.

WashinIsNeverDone · 25/07/2026 12:42

Think im the only person who would.
Reasoning is chances of surviving anyways is slim. If everyone died from this virus they would be so lonely. Food will be gone. It would save them from so much trauma. They will never live a life either way you look at it may as well save some hardships for the child. Especially if a girl.
Saving humanity would just be a bonus tbh

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 12:24

Anarchy99 · 25/07/2026 11:16

I really wanted to watch it but the combination of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey made it impossible

At first I was a bit put off with Bella Ramsey taking the part of Ellie because she doesn’t look like the character however she played her well. I wouldn’t of let that stop me watching it, it was definitely worth a watch

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 12:22

ChalkOutlines · 25/07/2026 11:15

Are your children (all if them) the strongest of the bunch though?

They are both strong and clever enough to give it a go plus they are not alone they’d be with me and their dad so yeh we might not make it long term but equally we’d give it a good fight. I wouldn’t hand over one of my children and say I know there’s not 100% success rate for it but kill her and take a chance

Anarchy99 · 25/07/2026 11:16

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 11:12

I loved this series when it came out and my DH had played the game previously.
I 100% would not sacrifice any of my children for anyone else. The state of the country and half the people in it are not worth it and don’t deserve it. Let it all go tits up and let the strongest survive I say

I really wanted to watch it but the combination of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey made it impossible

ChalkOutlines · 25/07/2026 11:15

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 11:12

I loved this series when it came out and my DH had played the game previously.
I 100% would not sacrifice any of my children for anyone else. The state of the country and half the people in it are not worth it and don’t deserve it. Let it all go tits up and let the strongest survive I say

Are your children (all if them) the strongest of the bunch though?

Manename · 25/07/2026 11:12

I don’t have children, myself absolutely.

Child I absolutely want to say no, but if they are very young and the only person immune they may die a horrible death alone with no-one to care for them.

Just me I’d hate to be the only person on earth and wouldn’t survive anyway as presumably die of a basic illness unless I know what antibiotics to take.

Coconutter24 · 25/07/2026 11:12

I loved this series when it came out and my DH had played the game previously.
I 100% would not sacrifice any of my children for anyone else. The state of the country and half the people in it are not worth it and don’t deserve it. Let it all go tits up and let the strongest survive I say

Amiiee · 25/07/2026 11:09

As if I care about the rest of the world

PurpleAxe · 25/07/2026 11:08

Theresalittlebitofwitchinyou · 25/07/2026 09:32

Nope I hate everyone but my own kids and <mostly> DH. My kids need me so if the rest of the world got wiped out meh.

Right, I hate most of humanity.

It makes these questions easier. 😁

The downsides are that I a creature of the first world and like to be comfortable.

So humanity and a functioning society is required for my coffees, and heated car seats.

If I could reduce humanity by 2/3 and keep my current lifestyle I absolutely would.

Bring on the robots.